Biography

John Lawton (born July 11, 1946 in Halifax, England) is a rock and roll vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer’s Friend (1970–1976; 1981), Uriah Heep (1976–1979), and the Les Humphries Singers (1970s). Most recently he has performed with Gunhill and the John Lawton Band and he has currently started a new project with Dutch guitarist Jan Dumée (ex-Focus) called On The Rocks.

He is known for a vocal style somewhat reminiscent of David Coverdale and David Byron.

He has remained on good terms with Mick Box. In 1995 he temporarily deputised for Bernie Shaw in Uriah Heep, for tours of South Africa and Austria, due to Shaw’s throat problems. On December 7, 2001, both John Lawton and Ken Hensley appeared on stage with today’s Uriah Heep line-up during the annual Magicians Birthday Party in London.